The Carabao Cup returns for the 2026/27 season, with Sky Sports broadcasting every second-round tie live. Eleven Premier League clubs — those without European commitments — enter the competition at this stage, with the remaining nine sides joining in round three.

Forest face Leeds in revenge clash

The standout tie on Tuesday sees Nottingham Forest host Leeds in an all-Premier League affair. Oliver Glasner's side will be desperate to make amends after suffering a late league defeat to the same opponents at the City Ground just three days prior.

Wednesday's action

Newcastle welcome West Brom to St James' Park on Wednesday, with Matthias Jaissle chasing his first win as Newcastle head coach. On the same evening, Tottenham host Charlton — early Championship pace-setters — as they look to recover from a 3-0 defeat at Brentford.

Wednesday also brings a charged reunion at Deepdale, where David Moyes returns to manage Everton against Preston — the club he left back in 2002.

Thursday's double header

Chelsea host Luton on Thursday, with Fulham rounding off the midweek schedule by welcoming AFC Wimbledon later that same evening.

Full second-round schedule

All kick-offs at 7.45pm BST unless stated otherwise.

August 25: Cardiff vs Norwich (7pm), Doncaster vs Middlesbrough (7.30pm), Barnsley vs Crewe, Blackburn vs Sheffield United, Blackpool vs Lincoln, Cambridge vs Millwall, Fleetwood vs Shrewsbury, Ipswich vs Leicester, Plymouth vs Coventry, Sheffield Wednesday vs Wolves, Southampton vs West Ham, Stevenage vs Reading, Stoke vs Hull, Walsall vs Leyton Orient, Watford vs Peterborough, Birmingham vs Brentford (8pm).

August 26: Bradford vs Burnley, Newcastle vs West Brom, Tottenham vs Charlton, Preston vs Everton (8pm).

August 27: Chelsea vs Luton (7.30pm), Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon (8pm).

The nine European clubs enter in round three

Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace — all occupied with European duties — will join the competition from round three onwards.

Key dates for the season

Round three takes place across the weeks commencing September 7 and September 14. Round four follows in the week of October 26, with round five in the week of December 14. The semi-final first legs are scheduled for the week of January 11, with second legs in the week of February 1. The final is set for Sunday, March 21.